Can opening device



A ril 17, 1934- A. P. LYMBURNER CAN OPENING DEVICE Filed Aug. 10, 1932 Patented Apr. 17, 1934 UNITE STATES PATENT OFFIE CAN OPENING DEVICE Application August 10, 1932, Serial No. 628,133

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to improvements in can opening devices.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a can opening device designed to 5 enable rapid, safe and convenient removal and rolling of a ripping strip.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a can opening device of the above character, embodying a strip rolling element which will be attached to the ripping strip at all times.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a can opening device employing as the strip rolling element an annular grooved rolling ring.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of can opening means of the above type, wherein the can or similar container is provided with a depression adapted to receive the rolling ring therein.

Other objects and advantages of the invention Will become apparent as the description progresses.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of a container equipped with the improved opening device.

Figure 2 is a similar View showing the rolling ring adjusted. to its initial rolling position,

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the completion of the strip rolling operation,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the main portion of the cover swung upwardly to an open position;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional View taken through Figure 1,

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 66 of Figure 1, and

Figure 7 is a similar view taken on line 7-7 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred example of the invention, A designates the cylindrical wall of a can or other form of container. On one end of the container A, preferably the upper end, is rigidly secured an end plate or cover B which, as shown at Figure 5, may be connected with the upper peripheral edge of the wall by rolling or in any other suitable manner. The

present device is particularly adaptable for hermetically sealed containers.

At the centre, the cover section B is shaped to provide a downwardly offset portion forming an annular central depression 10. Pressed concentrically about the central depression in the cover B, is an annular elevated ridge interrupted so as to form a fiat interval between the ends, the sides of the ridge being provided with scoro ing lines 11, so that the ridge defines an inter-- rupted ripping strip 12. At one end, the elevated ripping strip forming ridge is provided with a transversely elongated slot.

Connected with the ripping strip 12, and constructed so as to roll the latter thereon is a rolling ring 14, preferably formed of a strip channel shaped in cross section bent in annular form. The web of the ring forming strip is prolonged to provide an extension or connecting strip 15. 7

As shown to advantage at Figure '7 the other end of the connecting strip 15 is inserted through the slot in one end of the ripping strip and disposed so that the substantial portion or" the end Will lie under the strip. The connecting strip is 7 attached to the slotted end of the ripping strip 12, by soldering or welding these elements together, as shown at 16.

Until such time as the container is to be opened, the rolling ring 1 1 is retained in a flat position in the depression 10, so that the upper portion thereof is substantially flush with the top of the cover as shown at Figure 5. The extension strip 15 connecting the ring with the ripping strip 12 will lie flat upon the cover as shown at Figure 1.

When it is desired to open the container, the ring 14 is removed from the depression 10 and adjusted to an upstanding position as shown at Figure 2. The cover defining flanges oi the ring are then rolled along the edges of the ripping strip 12, causing the latter to be ripped or torn from the cover along the scoring lines and rolled upon the ring. When the entire annular ripping strip has been thus rolled, an annular slot will be formed in the top of the can, as shown at Figure 3, so that the central portion or the cover may be easily bent upwardly to enable convenient removal of the contents of the container.

It will be apparent that the construction of my opener is such as to obviate the provision of undesirable projections and prevent separation of the rolling element from the container, as frequently happens in the case of the well known key type of openers.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes as to the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to withprovide a depression therein, and an annular flanged rolling ring permanently connected with the ripping strip and adapted to be normally disposed in the depression and operable to roll the ripping strip thereon.

ARTHUR PETER LYMBURNER. 

